THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION TO DENTAL ANXIETY OF CHILDREN AGED 6-12 YEARS

Abstract

Background: Children's dental and oral health is very important during the child's growth period. Visits to the dentist often make children feel anxious. Anxiety is a type of emotional disturbance associated with unexpected or dangerous situations. An alternative approach besides pharmacotherapy is therapeutic communication by dental and oral therapists to reduce children's anxiety, because in providing information and fostering a trusting relationship with pediatric patients so that pediatric patients will feel comfortable. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic communication on dental anxiety in children aged 6 -12 years at the UPTD Indihiang Health Center, Tasikmalaya City. Method: This type of research is a pre-experimental research method with a one group pre and post design. This research was conducted in BP. Dental UPTD Indihiang Health Center with a total sample of 26 pediatric patients using an accidental sampling technique, namely the age criteria of 6-12 years. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, each sample measured the level of anxiety using the Faces Image Scale (FIS). Results: Based on the results of the study, there was a decrease in the FIS index score of 2.42. The statistical test results showed a value of p: 0.000 (p <0.05), which means that there was a significant difference in the FIS index score before and after being given therapeutic communication by the dental therapist. Conclusion: There is an effect of therapeutic communication on dental anxiety in children aged 6-12 years at the UPTD Indihiang Health Center, Tasikmalaya City.